Retraction of the Left Atrial Appendage
OwnerAlbert N. Santilliinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clamp is provided for attachment to the left atrial appendage (LAA). The clamp can be locked in a closed position so as to remain in place on the LAA. After being attached to the LAA, the clamp can be moved to a desired position such that the LAA can be retracted to a desired extent. The clamp can be held in any desired position, preferably by being connected to a thoracic retractor that is being used to retract the patient's sternum or ribs. A movable member is connected between the clamp and a stationary portion of the retractor. By locking the movable member in a fixed position relative to the stationary portion, the clamp can be maintained in a desired position and the LAA can be retracted as desired.
Claims17
A device for retracting the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a heart during the course of a cardiovascular surgical procedure, comprising:
- a clamp, the clamp being movable between a first, closed position where the clamp is connected to the LAA and a second, open position where the clamp is released from the LAA;
- and
- means for holding the clamp in a desired position relative to the heart while the clamp is in the closed position.
A device for retraction of the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a heart during the course of a cardiovascular surgical procedure, comprising:
- a thoracic retractor, the retractor being engageable with a patient's sternum or ribs to retract the sternum or ribs, the retractor, while retracting the sternum or ribs, having a stationary portion that remains stationary during the surgical procedure;
- a movable member, the movable member being connected to the stationary portion and movable relative thereto, the movable member capable of being locked in a desired fixed position relative to the stationary portion;
- and
- a clamp, the clamp being connected to the movable member, the clamp being movable between a first, closed position where the clamp is connected to the LAA and a second, open position where the clamp is released from the LAA, the connection between the movable member and the stationary member and the connection between the clamp and the movable member being such that the LAA can be stretched away from the heart when the clamp is in the closed position.
A method of retracting the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a heart during the course of a cardiovascular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
- providing a clamp, the clamp being movable between a first, closed position where the clamp can be connected to the LAA and a second, open position where the clamp can be released from the LAA;
- attaching the clamp to the LAA by moving the clamp to the closed position;
- moving the clamp to a selected position where the LAA is stretched to a desired extent;
- and
- holding the clamp in the selected position.
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of holding the clamp in the selected position is accomplished by:
- providing a thoracic retractor;
- engaging a patient's sternum or ribs with the retractor to retract the sternum or ribs, the retractor, while retracting the sternum or ribs, having a stationary portion that remains stationary during the surgical procedure;
- providing a movable member;
- connecting the movable member to the clamp;
- connecting the movable member to the stationary portion such that the movable member and the clamp are movable relative to the stationary portion;
- moving the movable member and the clamp to the selected position;
- and
- maintaining the movable member and the clamp in the selected position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.